Gas generating apparatus and method



Nov. 8, 1966 w. R. PETERSON 3,283,501

GAS GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Nov. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. PETERSON I3 PM ATTORNEY5- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

W. R. PETERSON GAS GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Q Q Q Q d Nov. 8,1966 Fild Nov. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. R. PETERSON GAS GENERATINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD Nov. 8, 1966 Filed Nov. 16, 1964 INVENTOR. WILLIAMR. PETERSON BY-' )4 Mi 511241; 122, WAM

' 9g ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,283,501 GAS GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHODWilliam R. Peterson, Levittown, Pa., assignor to the United States ofAmerica as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed Nov. 16, 1964,Ser. No. 411,650 Claims. (Cl. 6039.47)

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me ofany royalty thereon.

This invention relates to gas generating media, and more particularly topressure gas development for use in operating other devices requiringpredetermined operating pressures of varying amounts.

Standard initiators having a single cartridge for supplying a set amountof gas pressure have been employed to operate the firing mechanism ofother cartridge actuated devices. Variations in environmental conditionshave established a need for an initiator capable of supplying gaspressures of varying selective amounts. One such condition is that of astake that has been driven into earth for temporarily holding heavyordnance equipment during operation thereof and has to be withdrawn forsubsequent mobilization of the equipment. The stake could be driven intosoft spongy earth, into frozen earth or into earth of varyingintermediate conditions, each condition requiring a different amount ofenergy or gas pressure for the stake removal operation.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide fluid pressuregenerating media which is capable of supplying a selected one ofdifferent amounts of fluid pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide gas generating apparatushaving a multiple firing initiator selectively operated by a singleactuating means.

In one aspect of the invention a selected one of varying amounts of gaspressure is developed by providing an initiator with a plurality of gasgenerating caseless cartridges and then successively igniting selectedones of the cartridges.

In another aspect of the invention gas generating apparatus havingchamber means for developing gas pressure energy includes a multiplefiring initiator, a plurality of gas generating caseless cartridges inthe initiator, means for communicatively connecting the cartridges andthe chamber means, and means for successively igniting selected ones ofthe cartridges.

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparentfrom the following description and as- 1 sociated drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are opposed end views taken from the forward and rearwardextremities of a multiple firing initiator embodying the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is substantially an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational section view of another form of multiplefiring initiator embodying the principles of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of certain parts in the arrangementof FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view partially broken away showing the variousparts of FIG. 6 in bolt retracted position.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views taken along lines 99 and10-40 of FIG. 6.

The multiple firing initiator of FIGS. 13 includes a main body portionor housing shown generally at 11 and a cap member 12 coupled thereto byan appropriate assembly ring apparatus 13. Preferably housing body 11 isof molded construction and formed with a predetermined number ofcombustion chambers 14 (FIG. 4), each equidistantly spaced'from theinitiator central longitudinal axis as well as from itscircumferentially adjacent chambers, such that their respectivelongitudinal axes are located on a ring concentric to the centrallongitudinal axis. Each of the chambers 14 has a rearwardly Opening Itubular sidewall construction having a rearward internal end portionwhich is suitably recessed to properly seat a, preferably caselesscartridge, round of ammunition 15. V

Each cartridge is provided with a centrally located suitable primer 16aligned with and juxtapositioned forwardly of a respective aperture 17in retaining member 18. Preferably, a T-shaped filter member 19 isthreadedly seated in an axial opening 20 extending from the forwardmostIf portion of each chamber into respective radial tube porv tions 21,and by which each chamber is interconnected with a central outlet 22.Outlet 22 is appropriately bevelled and threaded such that a flanged nut23 serves to sealingly attach thereto flared tubular fluid accumulationmedia or means 24 for delivering pressure fluid to equipment operatedthereby. The stem of each T-filter has a forward end portion normallyreceiving a one-way ball check valve 25 when the latter is urged orbiased to its seat by spring 26.

The cap member 12 preferably is molded with a plurality of forwardlyopening cylinders 27 each arranged for alignment with a respectivecombustion chamber. h

The forward or inner face of the cap member is suitably formed with acircular protuberance or projection 28 to j receive annular or ring-likeindexing plate 29 which normally covers the apertures 17 in retainingmember 18 and normally closes off the forward end of each cylinder i 27.Within each cylinder 27 a spring loaded firing pin 30 is provided whichis normally held in its cocked position by indexing plate 29.

The cap member 12 has a transversely extending hollow cylindrical boss31 (FIG. 5) containing a slidable plunger 32 therein. The outermostportion of the plunger has secured thereto a recessed button 33 which isslidably positioned upon boss 31 and normally biased outwardlytherealong by a plunger spring 34 appropriately seated about the plungeragainst an internal flange within the boss 31.

button 33 are depressed, with pawl 40 holding the index- I ing plateagainst movement when the button and plunger are released and pawl 36 iswithdrawn to enter the next or adjacent notch.

The indexing plate 29 is formed with a plurality of holes or slots 41,42, 43, 44, 45, 46, each of predeterj mined size and location upon theplate. The respective angularly spaced arcuate slots or openingssuccessively and transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensionsand each slot is radially equidistant from the rotational axis of theindexing plate. Each of the respectively successive slots is radiallyaligned with its corresponding firing pin as well as being angularlyoffset therefrom respectively successive increasing distances, such thatselective repeated actuation of the plunger button will successivelymove selected slots into their corresponding The enlarged inner end 35of the plunger is provided with a pawl 36 which is biased by a suitableleaf-spring 37 to engage the first of a successive series of firingposition alignment or firing pin registration for ignition of thecorresponding aligned cartridge. Thus, depending on the selected numberof desired cartridge ignitions, a selected one of varying amounts of gaspressure from the ignited cartridges may be developed, each pressurechamber gas exiting past or through its filtering screw 19 and ballcheck valve 25.

In the arrangement of FIG. 6 the multiple firing initiator includes amain body portion or housing shown generally at 51 which contains a lostmotion type mechanism for moving or positioning of and firing 'caselesscartridge ammunition rounds. Preferably, the housing is substantially ofcylindrical tubular construction having threaded ends 52, 53 forrespectively having secured thereto a centrally apertured retaining cap54 and a combustion chamber element 55. The forward end wall of thechamber is formed with a reduced threaded extension 56 having a centralpassageway 57 therethrough communicating with the chamber interior.Flared tubular fluid accumulation media or means 58 for deliveringpressure fluid to equipment operated thereby and extension 56 areconnected by flanged nut 59. Threadedly seated in the entrance to axialpassageway 57 is a T- shaped filter member and the chamber interior isprovided with a conical tapered flange 60 for seating the cartridgesprior to ignition thereof.

Appropriately connected to the housing is a magazine 61 containing aplurality of caseless cartridges 62 biased upwardly by spring 63 and aninverted cup member 64 for successive movement into the housing interiorwhen the positioning and firing mechanism is retracted as shown in FIG.8 by an actuator 65 extending rearwardly through apertured cap 54. Aswill become apparent, release of actuator 65 allows the mechanism toreturn to its FIG. 6 position as the inserted cartridge is properlyseated (dotted lines) immediately prior to ignition.

The lost motion positioning and firing mechanism includes an outer boltmember 66 normally slidably biased by spring 67 to its forward positioninterrupting communication between the housing interior and magazinecartridges 62. Bolt 66 has an axial rearward pliable or spreadablecollect type clamp extension 68 which when normally contracted has aninwardly directed flange 69 for abutment with the rearward surface ofhead 70 formed on the forward end of actuator shaft 65. When bolt 66 ismoved to its rearward limit, collet clamp 68 will spread when itcontacts conical tapered abutment 54A on retaining cap 54. Bolt 66 is ofsubstantial cylindrical configuration and its rearward lower sidewall isformed with a trapezoidal shaped opening 71 for normally retainingtherein the free end of a cooking finger 72 pivotally mounted onsuitable journals 73 in mating transverse openings in an innercylindrical bolt member 74 which is slidably mounted within bolt 66. Asseen in FIG. 9, cocking finger 72 is bifurcated or centrally slotted ator from its free end so as to overlie or slidably receive the rearportion 75 of firing pin 76. The rear portion of inner bolt 74 isslotted at 77 to receive finger 72 and firing pin portion 75, the latterbeing supported by its horizontal pins 81, 81 slidably positioned inlongitudinal slots 82, 82 of inner bolt 74 transversely intersectingvertical walls of slot 77 and by a lower central rearwardly extendingportion 78 of intermediate inner bolt portion 79 which is integrallyconnected to the forward portion of inner bolt 74 by members 80, 80(FIG. 10) at a locking pin slotted area thereof to be hereinafterdescribed. The forward portion of inner bolt 74 has a sealing piston 83threadedly secured thereto and these parts are appropriately aperturedto slidingly receive firing pin 76 in addition to being recessed foraccommodating firing pin flange 84 and its forwardly biasing spring 35.Piston 83 has both internal and external O-ring seals 86 to preventbackward flow therepast of pressure gas.

Outer bolt 66 is provided with opposed pairs of longitudinally extendingoffset slots 87 (FIGS. 7, 10) to receive and cam respective outwardlydirected lateral pins or exetnsions 88 formed on bifurcated locking pins89 which is vertically slidable between the opposed inner boltconnecting members 80, from its upper, inner bolt locking position toits lower unlocked position. The locking pin 89 has a conically taperedupper end portion t which is cammed by outer bolt slot 87 upwardly intoa predetermined mating internal recess in the main body portion when theouter bolt 66 is in or near its forwardmost position.

With the parts in their forwardmost position (FIG. 6), rearward movementof actuator 65 carries therewith outer bolt 66, pivoting cocking fingers72 clockwise about journal 73 and thereby withdrawing or rearwardly moving firing pin 76 relative to the inner bolt 74 and locking pin 89structures, compressing spring and lowering or releasing the locking pin89. Continued rearward movement of bolt 66 moves the inner bolt andfiring pin arrangement rearwardly, permitting loading of an adjacentcaseless cartridge 62 into the housing interior, and when bolt 66reaches its rearward limit (FIG. 8) with its collet clamp 68 spreadoutwardly by conical abutment 54A, the fully compressed spring 67rapidly drives the parts forwardly in substantially reverse order tomove the cartridge 62 to its seat 60 immediately prior to ignitionthereof when the firing pin 76 strikes the percussion sensitive, fullycombustible cartridge primer 91 as the parts :all return to their FIG. 6position.

Repeated actuation of the FIG. 6 gas generating apparatus will ignitethe next adjacent cartridges in succession, until the desired gaspressure has been developed.

Various modifications, alterations 'or changes may be resorted towithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple firing initiator for use in gas generator apparatus andthe like, comprising a housing containing a plurality of combustionchambers each having at a rearmost location therein a loaded cartridgeand primer therefor,

means communicatively connected with each of said chambers forcollecting gas generated therein,

a plurality of firing pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridgeprimers, a spring forwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normallyrestraining the force of said pin springs, said indexing plate having aplurality of angularly spaced openings t-herethrough each radiallyaligned with and .angularly offset from a corresponding firing pin,

a retainer plate between said indexing plate and said primer and havinga plurality of apertures each longitudinally aligned with correspondingpairs of said pins and primers, and

means for selectively advancing ones of said openings into registrationwith its corresponding firing pin,

so constructed and arranged that a selected one of varying amounts ofgas pressure may be developed.

2. A multiple firing initiator for use in gas generator apparatus andthe like, comprising a housing containing a plurality of combustionchambers each having at a rearmost location therein a loaded cartridgeand primer therefor,

means communicative-1y connected by one way valve means with each ofsaid chambers for collecting gas generated therein,

a cap member secured to said housing and containing a plurality offiring pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridge primer, a springforwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normallyrestraining the force of said pin springs, said 5 6 indexing platehaving a plurality of angularly spaced plunger, a spring biasing saidplunger away from said inopenings therethrough each radially alignedWith and dexing plate, and notch and pawl means interconnectingallglllally Offset from a Corresponding firing P said indexing meanswith said plunger. a retainer plate between said indexing plate and saidprimers and having a plurality of apertures each 5 Referen e Cited bythe Examiner longitudinally aligned with corresponding pairs of UNITEDSTATES PATENTS said pins and primers, and means for successively movingselected ones of said 1,341,053 5/ 1920 GOddaTdopenings intoregistration with its corresponding fir- 1,935,123 11/1933 Lansing60-39.47 X ing pin, 10 2,025,884 12/1935 Nardone 6039.47 X soconstructed and arranged that a selected one of 2,096,619 10/1937 Prince6026.11 v rying am f g s press r m y e develop 2,207,635 7/1940 Na-rdone60-3947 3. The initiator in accordance with claim 2 wherein said 3 0 412/19 2 Kirshner et 1 39 47 X one way valve means each includes a ballcheck valve 3,210,930 10/1965 Leeper et a1 X and seat therefor at theforward end of each chamber, 15 3 210 931 10/1965 Elzufon et aL X and aspring norm-ally biasing each ball valve against its Seat- FOREIGNPATENTS 4. The initiator defined in claim 2 in which said openingssuccessively and transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensions.20

5. The initiator set forth in claim 2; wherein said suc- MARK NEWMANPrimary Exammer' cessively moving means includes a transversely orientedCARLTON CROYL xaminer- 650,604 2/ 1951 Great Britain.

1. A MULTIPLE FIRING INITIATOR FOR USE IN GAS GENERATOR APPARATUS ANDTHE LIKE, COMPRISING A HOUSING CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF COMBUSTIONCHAMBERS EACH HAVING AT A REARMOST LOCATION THEREIN A LOADED CARTRIDGEAND PRIMER THEREOF, MEANS COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAIDCHAMBERS FOR COLLECTING GAS GENERATED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF FIRINGPINS CORRESPONDINGLY ALIGNED WITH SAID CARTRIDGE PRIMERS, A SPRINGFORWARDLY BIASING EACH OF SAID PINS, AN INDEXING PLATE ROTATABLE ABOUT ALONGITUDINAL AXIS AND NORMALLY RESTRAINING THE FORCE OF SAID PINSPRINGS, SAID INDEXING PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY SPACEDOPENINGS THERETHROUGH EACH RADIALLY ALIGNED WITH AND ANGULARLY OFFSETFROM A CORRESPONDING FIRING PIN, A RETAINING PLATE BETWEEN SAID INDEXINGPLATE AND SAID PRINTER AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES EACHLONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED WITH CORRESPONDING PAIRS OF SAID PINS ANDPRIMERS, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ADVANCING ONES OF SAID OPENINGS INTOREGISTRATION WITH ITS CORRESPONDING FIRING PIN, SO CONSTRUCTED ANDARRANGED THAT A SELECED ONE OF VARYING AMOUNTS OF GAS PRESSURE MAY BEDEVELOPED.